Marni for H&M

If you like to shop at H&M, you'll be happy to know that Marni is doing a spring collection coming this March. Big polka dots, really strong patterns, and very vibrant colors are all making this line appropriate for Spring / Summer 2012. The line is mainly centered along tops and bottoms that you can piece together to make the perfect breezy day outfit. This line is available for both men and women, and of course is available at H&M.

As a frequent shopper of H&M, I am definitely anxious to see this line come out. When H&M has guest designers, (like the Versace fiasco a few months back), they have an event in which people wait in line for hours to purchase their clothes. Events like these usually have the line selling out within an hour.

Marni is "famed for its original prints and inventive spirit" (according to hm.com), and I believe the designer stays true to its unique essence in its line for H&M. Typically Marni uses bold prints and colors in order to produce an interesting collection. The color scheme seems to revolve around emerald and shamrock greens, beige and wooden browns, blacks, whites, and dark royal blues. The most appealing thing to me about this line is how it emphasizes the neckline for both men and women (although I'll admit, it's much more flattering and interesting on the women's line!). There are little things that tie, white collars, and accessories that make your eye link straight to the neckline. I feel as though I had to look through the line twice to even really see all of the clothing because the first time around I was fascinated by the chic ribbons and fancy necklaces.

Here are some of my favorite looks from the Marni for H&M women's and men's line:

This dress is my absolute favorite of the entire line. I just love the colors, it's made of silk, and it just looks like it would be something so fun to wear this upcoming spring. Not to mention the intense, dark shades that make this look go from cute and chic to fierce and bold. My absolute favorite thing about this piece is that it doesn't necessarily need anything to add to it. The shades are definitely a great addition to the outfit, but without it the dress still speaks for itself.

As you can see, this collection's not just for women--the men's line is quite unique as well. The shoes in this outfit are interesting, but to be honest, I've just never been much of a sandals-on-men kind of gal. Other than the shoes though, I love this look. I love the suit blazer paired with matching shorts. I am in love with the two-color tie, I think it adds a lot of style to this otherwise plain-looking outfit; and next to the black polka-dotted shirt, you can't help but focus in on these two pieces in this outfit.

I really can't get enough of these killer shades! They just look so unique, I'm in love. I think the shirt in this outfit makes this look very casual but still fashion forward. The detailing that goes into this shirt is amazing, the colors are beautiful--and you can see the stitching in the focal design. What makes this shirt most appealing to me are the black sequins that tie together at the collar. I think that piece brings a little class and sophistication to this otherwise fun and carefree look.

Again, not a fan of the mandals. BUT, I am in LOVE (okay, maybe lust) with the design of these two pieces: matching collared shirt with silk shorts. I love the way that the collar goes down the center and is outlined in black, which I think makes it stand out more considering all of the white polkadots. I just think it's about time men started sporting more polka dots, wouldn't you agree?

This is probably my second favorite outfit of the collection. Again, the way Marni is able to draw focus to the neckline is amazing, and makes the whole outfit come off as more elegant and classy. I love the style that it brings with the white collar and black strings to tie in front. I think we're missing more things that tie in our clothing these days ladies, who else misses the cute look of a little black bow or ribbon in your outfit?


Images taken from Vogue
Information taken from Vogue and H&M

Sweaters on sunny days

Although I realized the oversized cardigan was way too hot to actually wear today the moment I stepped outside (in southern California, where it is currently 76 degrees outside), this was what I originally planned to wear.

Oversized black cardigan with brown elbow pads, H&M
Light blue blouse, H&M
Black high-waisted shorts, H&M
Tights, Urban Outfitters
Flower accessory, H&M
& I ended up wearing some beige lace-up shoes from Urban Outfitters as well, which is not photographed.

Il Cinema Italiano, qualcuno?

After getting my morning coffee today, I stopped by my local grocery store to pick up my magazine fix. I went with the usuals: Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, & Glamour (mainly because I love Amanda Seyfried, and although there is a yellow blowdryer on the cover, I think it sort of works in that this-doesn't-make-sense-but-don't-I-look-fabulous sort of way).
As I'm flipping through Elle, I noticed something a little strange within the first few ads of the magazine. Of course, there's the typical advertisers such as Armani and Gucci and Fendi which all have the normal ingredients of a fashion ad: young, beautiful people in glamorous clothing. However, Dolce & Gabbana took a different approach with their campaign strategy.


Now that D&G caught my attention, I just had to find out why this particular advertisement stood out to me.
It turns out, D&G's Spring and Summer campaign for 2012 was largely inspired by the 50's style Italian Cinema. This explains the older people, the strong family vibe, and the scenery behind the models in the ad that can only make you crave living in the lovely country of Italia.
First of all, let me just say I love the idea of this. I think their decision to choose Italian cinema is a great strategy and will attract people from many different age groups. It appeals to people my age of course, because who in their early 20's, who goes to a college, isn't thinking about traveling right now? Study abroad programs, anyone?
I think this was a very smart choice for D&G. In their ad, D&G features about eight people all from different age groups. Starting from a child, early teens, late teens, twenties, thirties, all the way up into the elderly age group.
I can only imagine D&G did this to advertise that their line is timeless and can go along with any age group. Their clientele mostly consists of the age group 25-45, so maybe this will encourage people out of that age range to shop there. I feel like this ad mostly appeals to the elderly because that's what seems to stand out the most about this campaign--since it is unusual to see older people in high-fashion ads.
Also, I think they're trying to pull the family angle, because in this ad they are all touching each other gently, such as a hand on the shoulder or head, resembling that they are close and comfortable with each other. Plus, you can't think "Italian Cinema" without thinking of the big Italian family that comes along with that. What a mighty good looking and well dressed family I might add, I wish my family portraits looked like this! In any case, I think it's a wonderful strategy, and if anything it's making D&G stand out and I'm sure people are already talking about this. So at least D&G is putting themselves out there.
Here are some more photos from the campaign:


That said, I think I'm going to check dolcegabbana myself and find that flower-print jacket and skirt the woman with the yellow earrings is wearing. It kind of just shines out of the whole ad, don't you think?

Paper Crowns for Dress Up

Apparently Lauren Conrad has been working on something new in the fashion world. If you grew up in my generation, (which is the MTV reality t.v. show crazed generation) you grew up watching the Hills. Maybe in Laguna Beach, some of us might have been Team Kristen, but in the Hills, it was Conrad all the way. And why? Because we loved her, we loved her style, and because Speidi was ridiculous in the entire show (why was she even friends with her in the first place?).



So the new line is Paper Crowns, which she describes as "very feminine with a glamorously retro twist." On her website, she remarks, "You’ll find pieces you can wear everywhere: work, shopping or even your birthday party."

The pieces are very casual but fashion-foward, and probably best suited for women anywhere from early twenties up into their late thirties or forties. A lot of these pieces are very timeless and modest, which makes it appropriate for a lot of age groups. Even though the pieces are quite conservative, I still think they are up-to-date with today's style. In a way, I feel this line brings back the classiness that Audrey Hepburn had, except with a twist. For instance, this line would be very well suited for a relaxed, more loosely spirited Audrey that let her hair down more (that's not to say I don't love her classic, original style of course).

In any case, this line IS Lauren, which I think makes me the most happy, and makes her line more impressive overall. She even admits in WWD that she designed these pieces with herself in mind--which, hey, if we could, wouldn't we do the same? From the beige and neutral colors with a splash of pink, to the maxi skirts, the frilly dresses, and the comfy blouses; everything here says Lauren, the girl we loved and adored in the Hills. And honestly, I think it's great she's off to do more things in her life post-Hills.


These are some of my favorite pieces from the collection:

Bora Bora Gown in Oatmeal with Mustard
For $371 it's a tad pricey, but wouldn't this be cute to go out for tea on a nice spring day? Or just to walk around the block.. or just walk around the house...

Bronte Velvet Cropped Jacket
This one's on sale for $186, and I think it would be cute to pair with a nice dress that goes mid-thigh, like a cream colored dress with matching heels.

Renoir Blouse
In LOVE with this blouse for $218. Doesn't it just look comfy?

Piper Top
This top is also on sale for $132, and there's nothing too spectacular about it, I'm just in love with the colors and the fabric looks phenomenal. I've been really into sheer tops lately, so that's probably why this piece caught my attention.

Well those are my picks, but check out revolveclothing and pick your own. This collection is also at Nordstrom's and other websites, but I feel that revolveclothing has the widest selection by far.

Spending fridays at Hof's Hut

Boots, Tilly's
Gray OBEY shirt, Zumiez
Thrift store jean shorts
Members Only Jacket, (from a friend)
Gold snake ring, H&M
Gold chain necklace, Forever 21
Black sunglasses, purchased at Venice Beach



Just something chill to wear a on a nice day out for happy hour & some good company.
I really wanted to wear this red members only jacket that I borrowed from a friend--it's so fun, right? I instantly fell in love with it because of its vibrant color, and so I wanted to wear something comfy to match it. So the whole outfit here is centered on this jacket, (I know I know, kind of ridiculous to work around one piece to make an outfit work, but so what?), so everything else I wore is dull and mellow to make it stand out. I think it worked out pretty well, no?